Overview
Pattern Frame traces that are created by 3rd-party software packages can be imported into Rx-Universe if they are contained in a text file with the appropriate VCA labels. VCA pattern traces Frame trace files can be imported manually via the "Frame Tracings" maintenance program, or automatically as a function of the "Remote Order Processor".
Frame trace files can have any naming convention, with an extension; they should be in a format similar to:
FMFR=LOH
FRAM=CIRCLE60
EYESIZ=60
BEVP=7;7
DBL=16.0
ETYP=2;2
FTYP=3;3
_NOP_BEVA=D;0
_NOP_ROUGH_TOOL=14;14
_NOP_FINISH_TOOL=9;9
GDEPTH=0.50;0.50
GWIDTH=0.50;0.50
DRILLE=R;CR;25.00;10.50;1.40;25.00;10.50;;1;F;;;;
DRILLE=L;CR;-25.00;10.50;1.40;-25.00;10.50;;1;F;;;;
TRCFMT=1;400;E;R;F
R=3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000
R=3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000;3000
Any VCA label can be included in the frame trace file, including drill points (as above), non-equiangular and shelf data (for edgers such as the ES-Curve).
any label not recognized by Rx-Universe will be saved with the trace, and sent to any device that requests it. In the above example, the three _NOP labels would be saved in the trace record:
Manual Process
When creating a new frame trace record in Rx-Universe, you can choose to import the frame measurements from a file using the "Import" button. This button is available (visible) once the name and manufacturer fields have been entered on the "Frame Tracings" tab.
After clicking the "Import" button, select the file to import from the window:
Trying to import a file that does not contain trace information will result in an error:
Once the file has been imported, the fields will be automatically imported. If the file does not contain the DBL information, it will need to be manually added before the trace can be saved.
Automated Process
As an alternative to importing traces one at a time, the Remote Processor can be used in Rx-Universe to automatically import and create frame trace records.
Any files placed into a folder called "Frames", underneath the default input folder, will be processed by the Remote Processor. If the file can be imported and saved as a trace, the file is moved to the "Frame\Archive" folder; if it cannot be processed, it is moved to the "Frame\Error" folder.
To illustrate, if the Remote Processor is set up to process incoming order files in the C:\Rx-Universe\OMICSTX folder, then frame files should be placed into the C:\Rx-Universe\OMICSTX\Frames folder.
The automated process requires that the VCA pattern text files be placed in a specific directory so that the "Remote Order Processor" can locate the text files and process them.
...
The Remote processor will automatically pole the "Frame" folder to see if any VCA pattern files exist, if any are found, it will process 10 pattern files during it's cycle, then re-check for orders to process, then check for more VCA pattern files. This cycle continues until the Remote Processor is shut down or paused for the nightly server backups (if activated).
Manual Process
Manually importing a VCA pattern file requires you to be in the "Add Record" mode of the "Frame Tracings" maintenance screen.
******* insert frame tracings screen
Once the key fields for the tracing name have been entered a push button appears next to the "Trace name" field allowing you to select the VCA pattern text file. The key information for the tracing is comprised of the "Trace Name", "Manufacturer", "Frame Type", "Nominal A size" and "Nominal Bridge". The text file that is selected is verified to ensure that it contains "Tracing" information and is then processed and attached to the tracing record. The VCA pattern text file can contain equiangular trace data or un-equiangular trace data and shelf data.